:: [ cca 1901 Toledo Steamer. ]
::

The car on the right is a cca 1901/2 Mors,
distinguishable by having an offset cranking handle. Very many cars of
the period looked very similar which makes precise identification quite
difficult. We did however get this one early on.

The more interesting tall black car on the left took quite a long time
to identify and we even managed to get the picture printed in The
Automobile. At about the same time our Desmond Peacock also identified
the car as a turn-of-the-century "Toledo".

Further research defined that the car was manufactured by an American company called the American Bicycle Co., Automobile
Department, in Toledo, Ohio. The car was steam powered and was called
the Toledo Steamer.

The Toledo Steamer was apparently manufactured only between 1900 and
1902. The company was later renamed International Motor Car Company,
Toledo, Ohio, and some records have it as the Toledo Steamer Company. In
any case, the company was closed down in 1902 when the Pope Company
bought it and closed down all production of steamers. Thereafter the
company was renamed Pope-Toledo and began manufacturing petrol driven
cars. The Pope Company had simultaneously numerous other car companies
including one manufacturing electric vehicles.

The Pope Company went bankrupt in 1907 and remained in arrears until it
was purchased by The Overland Motor Company under John Willys in 1909.
Willys paid off the debt and reorganized the company, forming the Willys-Overland
Company, a firm that would later introduce the Jeep and the Wagoneer.
Then Became Chrysler Corporation and is all now the DaimlerChrysler
conglomerate including Daimler-Benz (Mercedes) and Mitsubishi.

The Toledo Steamer was fitted with a vertical two cylinder double acting
steam engine of 6.25HP. Steering is by tiller and various bodies were
fitted, giving an overall cost between $800 an $1600 in 1902.

A number of Toledo Steamers have survived including one in England which
has been seen on the London to Brighton run. I had found some photos on
a site where a Toledo Steamer was for sale for £55,000 (I think), but I
have lost the URL to find it again and ask more. All photos below are
from the internet with thanks to the owners in absence!